Version 9.0 of the Harlequin Server RIP, which has been verified for colour quality by Fogra, also features full support for the new Pantone Plus library and updated platform support to include Windows Server 2008 R2.

Printers who have earlier versions of the Harlequin Server RIP are able to install the new version for a one-month free trial.

Global Graphics chief technology officer Martin Bailey said that the new version of Harlequin RIP had been developed to respond to three key industry trends - an increasing reliance on colour management, a continuing increase in the use of live PDF transparency and the growth of digital print.

"We’ve included new features that respond to how print jobs are changing," Bailey said. "So although the Harlequin RIP has processed live transparency in PDF since 2002, we’re constantly working to accelerate it because graphic designers have vastly increased their use of transparency in print jobs – drop shadows being a prime example.

"There’s also a new feature that speeds up the processing of variable data jobs for digital production presses.  Version 9.0 includes support for PDF/VT when used in a Digital Front End (DFE), but our emphasis is on processing all variable data printing jobs that are submitted as PDF at maximum performance, instead of concentrating exclusively on PDF/VT."

The Harlequin Server RIP v9 is available from Global Graphics’ network of original equipment manufacturers and system integrators, which include Xitron, HighWater, ECRM, PressTek and Compose.